Ashley Eide scored hit the 20-point mark
for the third consecutive game, leading South Dakota State over North Dakota
State, 76-57, in the Summit League women's basketball opener for both teams
Sunday afternoon at Frost Arena.

In recording win No. 299 of head coach Aaron Johnston's
career, the Jackrabbits improved to 9-5 overall. NDSU dropped to 4-9 on the
season.

SDSU got off to a fast start, making eight of its first 10
shots from the field to build an early 18-5 lead. Back-to-back three-pointers
by Eide and Megan Waytashek fueled the outburst, which included a pair
of baskets by Leah Dietel.

The Jackrabbits continued to extend their lead throughout
the first half, taking their largest lead of the opening stanza, 45-17, on
consecutive three-pointers from opposite sides of the floor by Hannah Strop in
the closing minutes. SDSU, which shot 54.8 percent (25-of-47) in the first
half, led 45-19 at halftime.

The SDSU lead quickly grew to 30 points early in the second
half. NDSU put together a run to get back to within 22 points at 58-36, but the
Jackrabbits scored the next nine on treys by Eide and Waytashek, followed by a
traditional three-point play by Dietel.

Eide finished with a game-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting
from the field. Waytashek scored 17 points, while Dietel ended the afternoon
with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

The Jackrabbits shot an even 50 percent for the game,
28-of-56, including an 8-of-13 effort from behind the arc. Waytashek was
3-for-3 on three-pointers, while Hannah Strop went 3-for-4 en route to nine
points. At the line, SDSU was 12-of-15, 80 percent.

Holly Johnson, Dani DeGagne and Katie Birkel each scored 11
points to lead NDSU. The Bison ended the day 23-of-56 from the field, 41.1
percent, with a 4-for-13 effort on three-point attempts. NDSU made 7-of-10 free
throw tries for 70 percent.

NDSU held a slim 33-32 rebounding advantage as DeGagne and
Jamie Van Kirk each recorded six rebounds.

The Jackrabbits return to action Thursday (Jan. 3) by
hosting Kansas City in a 7 p.m. contest at Frost Arena.

NOTES: The all-time series is tied at 38 wins apiece ... SDSU
has won 15 of the last 16 meetings and has a 15-3 record against the Bison in
the Division I era ... The Jackrabbits wrapped up a successful December, going
6-1 during the month ... SDSU's 45 first-half points were the most by a
Jackrabbit team in any half this season ... the Jackrabbits improved to 76-15
all-time in Summit League play, including 41-5 at Frost Arena ... NDSU led once,
at 3-2 ... SDSU set season highs for points (76), field goals made (28), field
goal percentage (50.0) and three-point percentage (61.5), while committing a
season-low 11 turnovers ... Eide made her first seven shots from the field, while
contributing six rebounds and three assists ... Strop's nine points were a season
high ... Megan Stuart also set a season high with five points ... freshman guard
Chloe Cornemann set a new career high with four assists and fellow point guard
Gabby Boever established a new career high with four steals ... attendance was
1,959